Housing, Husbandry, Blood collections, Injections

Question 1

What are some of the key principles to the approach to history and examination?

Answer 1

1. You need to work out how experienced clients are with their pets needs
2. Use a pre-filled (template) history sheet
3. Ask clients to bring photos or the enclosure with them
4. Use open questions

Question 2

What are some of the key considerations for housing principles in birds?

Answer 2

Requirements differ but some considerations:
1. Location
2. Heating
3. Intensive care requirements (handling, medical management)
3. Perches - type, size, position
4. Cage - size, wire gauge, positioning, feather damage
5. Substrates
6. Lighting
7. Nutritional needs
8. Behavioural needs
9. Biosecurity

Question 3

What does calcium homeostasis depend on in reptiles?

Answer 3

UVB, Vitamin D and nutrition

Question 4

What are some of the health issues of reptiles that come with bad housing?

Answer 4

• Metabolic bone disease (diet or lack of UVB)
• Thermal burns (contact or from hot spot)
• Fighting and injuries (inappropriate housing with conspecifics)
• Dysecdysis (sloughing issues) from inadequate humidity, no rough surfaces to rub on

Question 5

What are the key principles for a wildlife friendly practice set up?

Answer 5

1. Set up should prioritise calm, quiet, dedicated spaces for different species
2. Does not have to be expensive, simple set up works well for biosecurity and short term care in clinic
3. You may need to advocate for simple adjustments and tools that will benefit exotic pets as well as wildlife

Question 6

What are the key principles and considerations for capture and manual restraint of wildlife?

Answer 6

1. Do is need to capture/restraint this animal?
2. What is the best method for the species and situation?
3. What are zoonotic risks?
4. What are the risks of injury to animal or human?
5. How can these risks be limited?
6. How can I make it quick but appropriate, quiet, reduce visual stimulation?

Question 7

How can we induce the vaso-vagal response in lizards?

Answer 7

Apply gentle pressure by hand to the eyes or apply a head bandage. This elicits a calm state and decreases the heart rate. Should not be done longer than 10 minutes. Good for: Physical exam, blood collection, radiography

Question 8

What is the maximum amount of blood we can safely take from a healthy animal?

Answer 8

Maximum mls you can take is 1% bodyweight (in grams). (if animal is not healthy or we are unsure take 0.5%)

Question 9

In general, what are the veins in a bird that we can draw blood from?

Answer 9

Jugular vein
Medial metatarsal vein
Ulnar vein

Question 10

Which vein is best to use for waterfowls or other bird species?

Answer 10

Medial metatarsal (leg) vein

Question 11

Which vein is best to use for passerines?

Answer 11

Cutaneous ulnar/basilic (wing) vein

Question 12

Which vein is best to use for parrots?

Answer 12

Jugular vein - but chemical restraint is recommended unless experienced and pet bird

Question 13

Which vein is best to use in lizards?

Answer 13

Ventral tail (coccygeal) vein

Question 14

Which vein is best to use in larger lizards (monitors, bobtails)?

Answer 14

Lateral tail vein

Question 15

Which vein is best to use in snakes?

Answer 15

Ventral tail vein (1/3 of the way down from the cloaca, avoid damaging hemipenis)

Question 16

Which vein is best to use in chelonians?

Answer 16

Dorsal tail vein, jugular (most species), or dorsal cervical sinus (marine species)

Question 17

Where would we give IM injections in birds?

Answer 17

Pectoral muscle (most)
Thigh (big birds)

Question 18

Where would be give IM injections in reptiles?

Answer 18

Triceps/biceps (forelimb muscles)
Thigh
Epaxial muscles (snakes)
Care when injecting caudally - renal portal system

Question 19

Where would we give a subcutaneous injection in birds?

Answer 19

Inguinal area

Question 20

Where would we give a subcutaneous injection in reptiles?

Answer 20

Areas of loose skin or epaxial skin

Question 21

Where do we microchip a bird vs a reptile?

Answer 21

Birds: left pectoral muscle - implanted deep IM so should be done under GA

Reptiles:
Chelonians: left hindlimb socket. SC in small species, IM in larger species or thin-skinned
Lizards: most species SC left inguinal. If <12.5 cm SVL then intracoelomic
Snakes: SC on left side of neck, twice the length of the head from tip of snout
Frogs: intracoelomic

Question 22

Where/How do we assess body condition and hydration in birds?

Answer 22

Body condition: pectoral muscles
Hydration: skin can be unreliable, eyes, basilic wing vein refill, PCV/TP, droppings

Question 23

Where/How do we assess body condition and hydration in reptiles?

Answer 23

Body condition: prominence of spine, ribs, pelvic bones, tail fat
Hydration: Dull/tenting skin, eyes sunken, mucous membranes tacky/stringy mucous

Question 24

Which tests should we do for birds that will give us a minimum database?

Answer 24

PCV/TP
Uric acid and bile acids
Faecal float
Blood smear
Gram stain faeces and crop

Question 25

Which tests should we do for reptiles that will give us a minimum database?

Answer 25

PCV/TP
Uric acid, CK, liver enzymes, bile acids
Faecal float
Blood smear